6/24/08
Along the curb in front of Prospect Hall
are several 'Red Sprite' Winterberries {Ilex veticillata 'Red Sprite'} that are
blooming along their stems with very small white flowers. We grow this shrub
for its fruit; it will have countless red berries along its stems in late
September that will remain very attractive well into winter. There is a taller
variety of Winterberry in the rear of this bed, 'Winter Red' will flower in a
week or so and will also develop a large number of red fruit. This species of
Holly is far and away our showiest shrub for a long lasting colorful fruit
display in the fall and winter. In front of the Bagley House is a Red Buckeye {Aesculus
pavia} in bloom with a spike of red flowers held above the very attractive
Horsechestnut foliage. In the same bed is another Horsechestnut species,
Bottlebrush Buckeye {A. parviflora} that will bloom in July.
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'Red Sprite'
Winterberries |
Red Buckeye |
6/19/08
On the east side of the Russell House are
several Bush Cinquefoil {Potentilla fruiticosa} shrubs in full bloom with light
yellow flowers. There are many varieties of this plant, flowers come in white,
yellow, pink, and red, though the yellow shades are the most common. It will
continue blooming until frost.
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Bush Cinquefoil |
6/18/08
On Langdon St, just west of the
Infirmary [16 Merrill Street] there is our oldest Japanese Tree Lilac {Syringa
reticulata} that we have on campus. It is just beginning to bloom with large
creamy white panicles up to 12" long. Considered to be the most trouble free
Lilac and the best one to plant if you want a single stem tree form.
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Japanese Tree Lilac |
6/17/08
At the uphill end of the large bed in
front of the Lamson Library is a small group of Cutleaf Stephanamdra {S. incis 'Crispa'}
that forms a very thick mass of arching stems 2-3' tall. It is flowering now
with small light yellow flowers. This is an excellent plant to prevent erosion
on steep banks. In the same bed is a large mass of 'Anthony Waterer' Spiraea
{S. x bumalda 'Anthony Waterer'} that is 3' tall and coming into bloom with
carmine pink flat topped flower clusters. Behind the northwest corner of
Prospect Hall are several Drooping Leucothoes {L. fontanesiana} that are
blooming with pendulous white flowers partially hidden by the multicolored
foliage. The variegated evergreen foliage will rarely winter burn if planted in
a sheltered location with little or no winter sun. The new foliage is a nice
reddish color and will slowly turn a mottled green through the summer.
Leucothoe is a member of the Heath family and the flowers are similar in shape
to Blueberries. In front of Prospect Hall is a large planting of 'Henry's
Garnet' Virginia Sweetspire {Itea virginiana 'Henry's Garnet} that has white
flowers in 6" racemes just opening. The green foliage turns a beautiful wine
red in the fall and remains very attractive well into November, the fall foliage
is the primary reason I grow Itea, it extends the season by close to a month.
6/16/08
To the left of the Main Street entrance
to D & M is an 'Erie' Viburnum {V. dilatatum 'Erie'} in full bloom with large 6"
clusters of cream colored flowers above lush green foliage. The flowers will be
followed by large clusters of red fruit in the fall and the foliage turns
multiple attractive colors for a very effective three season display.
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'Erie' Viburnum |
6/12/08
In the large garden on the north side
of Memorial Hall are two Flame Azaleas {Rhododendron calendulaceum}, one with
yellow flowers the other with orange flowers. This native Azalea comes in a
large range of colors and is often used as a parent in hybridizing efforts.
6/10/08
On the south side of Ellen Reed is a 'Varied
Directions' European Larch {Larix decidua 'Varied Directions'} with a
groundcover of 'Weihenstephaner Gold' Sedum {Sedum floriferum 'W. G."} that is
in full bloom with a carpet of bright yellow flowers. These flowers will
rebloom soon after we cut off the spent flowers. The "Varied Directions' Larch
is a plant developed by Sid Waxman at the University of Connecticut and makes a
graceful living sculpture. It is 3-4' tall and 20' wide. The Larch is one of
just four deciduous conifers and the needles turn a spectacular soft yellow
before dropping each fall.
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'Varied Directions' European Larch |
6/9/08
Along the west side of the HUB are
several Red-budded Mountain Laurels {Kalmia latifolia} whose buds are different
shades of red depending on the variety. These new varieties lengthen the season
of interest around their blooming time. This is one of our best shrubs and is
native range extends to the shores of Squam Lake in Holderness. It has shiny
evergreen foliage and is a reliable bloomer. Along the north side of the Silver
Center are several Mountain Laurel plants that were collected in North Carolina
and are without any of the red coloration. Growing in the earth filled
retaining wall along the parking lot at the north end of the Silver Center is
the clinging vine Climbing Hydrangea {H. anomala petiolaris} that has bright
green foliage and many 6-10" flat clusters of white flowers. The stems are
cinnamon colored and are also attractive when the foliage drops in the fall.
Once this vine is established growth of 6' a year is common.
6/5/08
At the southwest corner of the Counseling
Center is our Oyama Magnolia {M. sieboldi} that has white flowers with reddish
stamens, before the flowers open they hang down like small eggs. The flowers
are best observed from below, this was a popular species to use in Japanese tea
cottage gardens where the guests are seated on the floor. At the northeast
corner of Hyde Hall there is a White Fringetree {Chionanthus virginicus} in
bloom with fringed white flowers. This plant is very late to leaf out, it still
appears dormant at graduation and the flowers are followed by lush green summer
foliage and nice yellow fall foliage. Our oldest Fringetree campus is at the
southeast corner of Hall Hall. At the northwest corner of the Kelly House
{Human Resources} is a 'Blue Muffin' Viburnum {V.dentatum} blooming with
clusters of white flowers. This plant gets its cultivar name from its display
of blue fruit in August.
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Oyama Magnolia |
White Fringetree |
'Blue Muffin' Viburnum |
6/2/08
At the southwest corner of the HUB is a
'Winter King' Hawthorn {Crataegus viridis 'Winter King'} in bloom with clusters
of white flowers. This tree has a very nice wide spreading habit and a truly
outstanding show of red fruit in the fall and winter. In front of Mary Lyons
Hall are three trees {2 European Larches and a Crabapple} with groundcovers
around their trunks of Bigroot Geranium {G. macrorrhizum} that has purple
flowers above the thick foliage. These plantings eliminate the need for annual
mulching and cut way down on the amount of weeding. On both sides of Highland
St. by Russell House are large plantings of the Dwarf Korean Lilac {Syringa
meyeri 'Palibin'} with deep purple buds that open to fragrant pink to white
flowers. This shrub is a dependable bloomer at a very young age.
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'Winter King' Hawthorn |
Bigroot Geranium |
Dwarf Korean Lilac |
5/30/08
Along the north side of HUB Snackbar is a
group of 'Nova Zembla' Rhododendrons {R. catawbiense 'Nova Zembla'} that are
blooming with large red flower trusses. In front of the Russell House is
another planting of Catawba Rhododendron {R. catawbiense} that is coming into
bloom with purple flowers. We have many varieties of Catawba Rhododendron on
campus, many large plants are on Main St. in front of D&M which are just a few
days later coming into bloom. On the east side of Smith Hall is a large
multi-stem Amur Maple {Acer ginnala} that has a profusion of flower clusters
just opening. There will be a heavy crop of seed that will be red in late
August and turn silver in the early winter. The leaves are a very nice bright
green all summer and will turn a beautiful scarlet in October. There are
several Amur Maples in the islands separating the parking lots at the Athletic
Center. At the entrance to Lamson Library are a few Mapleleaf Viburnums {V.
acerifolium} that have flat clusters of white flowers.
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'Nova Zembla'
Rhododendrons |
Catawba Rhododendron |
Amur Maple |
Mapleleaf Viburnums |
5/29/08
At the Infirmary on Merrill St is a bed
of Exbury Azaleas {Rhododendron x 'Exbury'} with 'Gibraltar' blooming with
orange to red flowers and 'Percil' with yellow flowers. These are not
recommended for Zone 4, but with our milder low temperatures of the last few
winters they have become much more reliable bloomers. In the large garden on
Highland St. between Lamson Library and Belknap Hall is a 'Tricolor' European
Beech {Fagus sylvatica 'Roseomarginata'} that has purple leaves with pink
margins. The leaf color is very striking; it is planted in the shade because
the pink margins tend to burn in full sun. Just across the street at the Bagley
House is a Carolina Allspice {Calycanthus floridus} that has fragrant reddish
brown blossoms that look like dried flowers. The strawberry-banana-pineapple
scent is reportedly stronger in the evening.
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'Gibraltar' Exbury
Azaleas |
'Percil' Exbury Azaleas |
'Tricolor' European
Beech |
Carolina Allspice |
5/28/08
In front of the lower end of Prospect
Hall is a Siebold Viburnum {V. sieboldi} with white flower clusters. It has
very bright green foliage all summer that smells like green peppers. It also
has a nice display of fruit that turns red and ripens to black. This shrub
usually is grown in a multi-stem habit but also is very adaptable to be trained
as a single stem small tree. There is another example at the west entrance to
Speare Hall as well as some large multi-stem plants growing along the ramp at
Hyde Hall. Along the east facing wall of Pemi Hall is a Redvein Ekianthus {E.
campanulatus} that has many small bell shaped pendulous flowers that create a
very graceful appearance. The foliage will turn a very attractive red in the
fall, another excellent landscape plant in same family as Rhododendron. There
are some older examples of Enkianthus in the large garden on the north side of
Memorial Hall. Between the Robert Frost House and Blair Hall is a group of
Korean Mountain Ash {Sorbus alnifolia} that are blooming with large clusters of
white flowers. In the fall there is beautiful coral colored fruit that remains
on the tree into early winter and will often make a striking display with the
background of an early snow. There is another large group of Korean Mountain
Ash on the bank facing the Silver Center as well as our oldest specimen on the
south side of Speare Hall. On the east side of Russell House is a 'Shasta'
Doublefile Viburnum {V.plicatum var. tomentosum 'Shasta'} with white flowers
displayed above the foliage to create the 'Doublefile' effect. The 'Shasta'
cultivar is a 1979 introduction from the U.S. National Arboretum.
5/23/08
On the north side of Holmes House is a 'Brioti'
Horsechestnut {Aesculus x carnea 'Brioti'} that is just coming into bloom with
8-10" spikes of red flowers with yellow throats. These flowers are very flashy
and often last up to three weeks. In front of the Bagley House is a Red Buckeye
{A. pavia} that is a shrub form and also has red flowers. This is one of the
parents of the hybrid that created the 'Brioti' Horsechestnut. In the large bed
in front of Memorial Hall is a group of Highbush Blueberries {Vaccinium
corymbosum} that has pendulous, bell shaped, cream colored flowers. This is my
favorite example of edible landscaping: nice flowers, excellent summer foliage,
and striking red fall foliage and of course the wonderful berries to snack on as
you walk by. Along the ramp to Hyde Hall is a large planting of Wilson
Rhododendron {R. x laetevirens} with flowers that range from white to pink,
small leaves, and a fairly low habit. This has become a very dependable bloomer
as these plants have aged, they were planted in 1977. In the large garden at
the north end of the Silver Center is an Umbrella Magnolia {M. tripetala} that
has large cream colored flowers up to 10" across and enormous leaves up to 24"
long.
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'Brioti' Horsechestnut |
Highbush Blueberries |
Wilson Rhododendron |
Umbrella Magnolia |
5/22/08
In front of the D&M building on Main St.
are several 'Brilliant' Red Chokeberries {Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima'}
that are blooming with many clusters of white flowers with reddish anthers. The
foliage will be a lush green all summer changing to one of the best reds we have
in the fall as well as a heavy crop of bright red fruit, an outstanding plant
with multiple seasons of interest. On the north side of Court St. is an
'Adirondack' Crabapple {Malus 'Adirondack'} noted for its columnar growth habit
and disease resistance, which is completely covered in white flowers, this is by
far the best blooming year this tree has ever had. In the far island at the
Athletic Center parking lot is a group of Purple Leaf Sand Cherries {Prunus
cistena} that is blooming with many small white flowers. This is one of the
hardiest shrubs with dark red foliage. Along the stone wall between Belknap
Hall and Lamson Library a Carolina Silverbell {Halesia tetraptera} with many
bell shaped white flowers along each branch. This tree was planted in the
1980's and repeatedly died back from the cold, the last few years it has grown
and flowered. In the large garden at the north end of the Silver Center are two
varieties of the Northern Lights series of hardy deciduous Azaleas, 'Rosy
Lights' has deep pink flowers, and 'Northern Hi-Lights' has creamy white
flowers. In front of the Athletic Center below the ramp to the second level is
a 'Jewelberry' Crabapple {Malus 'Jewelberry'} that is a dwarf variety with white
flowers. This tree is less than eight feet tall and was planted more than 20
years ago. Above the concrete retaining wall at the Silver Center are a row of
'Tina' Crabapples {Malus sargeti 'Tina'} that are covered in white flowers.
These are seedlings of the species Malus sargenti and come true from seed to
form very compact dwarf trees rarely taller than six feet.
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'Brilliant' Red
Chokeberries |
'Adirondack' Crabapple |
Purple Leaf Sand
Cherries |
Carolina Silverbell |
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'Rosy Lights' |
'Northern Hi-Lights' |
'Jewelberry' Crabapple |
'Tina' Crabapples |
5/20/08
In front of the HUB there are several
'Madonna' Crabapples {Malus 'Madonna'} that have double white flowers that are
compared to small rose blooms. Because they are double they last much longer
than single Crabapple flowers. Along the north side of the HUB snackbar is a
large planting of 'Carol Mackie' Daphne {D. x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie'} that
has very fragrant pink flowers. The foliage is also very striking with cream
colored margins on small green leaves. Outside the entrance to Memorial Hall
are two large 'Allegheny' Viburnums {V. x rhytidophylloides 'Allegheny'} with
large cream colored flower clusters. The foliage is a much textured green with
clusters of red and black fruit in the fall. Also outside the entrance to
Memorial Hall are a few 'Purple Gem' Rhododendrons {R.x 'Purple Gem'} with a
rounded dwarf habit, small evergreen foliage and light purple flowers.
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'Madonna' Crabapples |
'Carol Mackie' Daphne |
'Allegheny' Viburnums |
'Purple Gem'
Rhododendrons |
5/15/08
Many of our Crabapples are coming into
bloom for graduation. The trees with white flowers on D&M Field are Siberian
Crabapples {Malus baccata} and are extremely hardy and do come from eastern
Siberia, Mongolia and northern China. The rose red flowers in the Silver Center
parking lot are 'Centurion' Crabapples {Malus 'Centurion'} and have excellent
glossy red fruit in the fall.
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Siberian Crabapples |
'Centurion' Crabapples |
5/14/08
Our state shrub, the Common Lilac {Syringa
vulgaris} is coming into bloom at Boyd Hall and Belknap Hall. The spikes of
flowers are just beginning to open and spread their wonderful fragrance. In
front of the Infirmary there is an Amur Chokecherry {Prunus maackii} in bloom
with clusters of white flowers. These trees are also grown for their cinnamon
colored bark which is quite striking on a sunny winter day. Behind the shuttle
stop on Highland Street is a large group of Myrtle-leaf Rhododendron {R.myrtlifolium}
with pink flowers above small evergreen foliage. Outside the main entrance to
Rounds Hall is a Dwarf Fothergilla {F.gardenii} with white flowers that look
like small bottlebrushes.
5/12/08
In front of the Infirmary on Merril
Street is a group of Pinkshell Azaleas {Rhododendron vaseyi} with beautiful pale
pink flowers. This species is native to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North
Carolina and usually has excellent red fall foliage. Next door in from of the
Computer Store is a Japanese White Flowering Crabapple with red buds that will
lighten and open to white flowers. The Crabapple {Malus sp.} in front of Blair
Hall is completely open because of its protected location.
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Pinkshell Azaleas |
Japanese White
Flowering Crabapple |
Crabapple |
5/9/08
Just below the southeast corner of
Belknap Hall is our first Redbud {Cercis canadensis} to bloom each spring. The
flowers are a very bright reddish purple and are often produced on fairly thick
older branches. Our largest Redbuds are planted between the north side of D&M
and the Episcopal Church, there are others planted along the east side of Hyde
Hall. All of these trees are from a group of seedlings we bought from a native
stand in Wisconsin {for cold hardiness} and were planted in our Nursery in 1991.
At the rear of the Russell House is a Flowering Dogwood {Cornus florida} that
is just beginning to open its white flowers. With the mild temperatures we had
this winter I am anticipating a good blooming season this year. Underneath this
Dogwood is the groundcover Dead Nettle {Lamium maculatum} that has variegated
foliage and purple flowers.
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Redbud |
Flowering Dogwood |
Dead Nettle |
5/8/08
At the end of the Boyd Hall parking lot
on Pleasant Street is a Bradford Pear {Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'} in bloom
with clusters of white flowers. This is the same tree that is blooming along
Plymouth's Main Street. It has shiny green foliage that will turn shades of red
and purple late in the fall. So late in fact that often an early frost will
burn the leaves before they have turned. T he foliage can last until early
November weather permitting. We have a row of four Bradford Pears on the north
side of Memorial Hall.
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Bradford Pear
Updated 5/12/08 |
5/8/08
Between Holmes' House and Round's Hall is
a 'Wada's Memory' Magnolia {M. x Wada's Memory} that is blooming with large
white flowers. This is a hybrid of M. kobus and M. salicifolia. This tree was
moved from the west side of Mary Lyon's two years ago. It was planted at Mary
Lyons in the late 1970's and was about 12" tall when we received it from a
specialty nursery in Oregon. It is named for Joseph Wada, a Japanese
horticulturist.
5/6/08
At the northwest corner of Hall Hall is a
group of Judd Viburnums {V. x juddi} that are in bud and soon to flower. This
is an improved hybrid of the Koreanspice Viburnum {V. carlesi} and it has very
attractive deep red flower buds. The buds open to white flowers and are
extremely fragrant.
5/2/08
In the garden east of the Bagley Center
is the groundcover Periwinkle {Vinca minor} with evergreen foliage and
attractive blue flowers. This has been one of New England’s most popular
groundcovers for well over a century and old plantings spreading into adjoining
woods are seen near old homesteads.
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Periwinkle |
5/1/08
At the bottom of the Hyde Hall ramp is a
'Leonard Messel' Magnolia {M.x loebneri 'Leonard Messel'} with fragrant pink
flowers. This was a chance hybrid found in Col. Messel's garden in England and
is one of the best Magnolias for our climate. Along the brick walk south of
Hyde Hall is a 'Robin Hill' Downy Serviceberry {Amelanchier arborea 'Robin
Hill'} with light pink buds just
starting to open to white flowers. There will be attractive, edible fruit in
July, as well as multicolored fall foliage.
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'Leonard Messel'
Magnolia |
'Robin Hill' Downy
Serviceberry
Updated 5/6/08 |
4/28/08
In front of Memorial Hall is a Saucer
Magnolia, {M. x soulangeana} this is our largest Magnolia and heaviest bloomer
year after year. On many locations on campus we have the evergreen Mountain
Pieris {P. floribunda} blooming with upright panicles of fragrant white flowers.
This is a very dependable shrub that I have planted in many locations. A
hybrid of Mountain Pieris with the Japanese Pieris {P.japonica} is 'Brouer's
Beauty' Pieris {P.x Brouer's Beauty} that has cream colored flowers. Both of
these plants have exposed flower buds all winter, Brouer's Beauty's flower buds
are a very pleasing red all winter which greatly enhances its ornamental value.
At the south side of Speare Hall is our first 'P.J.M.' Rhododendron {R. x P.J.M.}
to bloom, it is earlier because of it location right against the south side of
the building. This is the most popular Rododendron in America and was
hybridized at Weston Nursery in Hopkinton, Mass. In front of the PJM is a
Korean Mountain Ash {Sorbua alnifolia} that has a groundcover of Candytuft {Iberis
sepervirens} that has evergreen foliage and clusters of white flowers.
Candytuft will often bloom a second time late in the fall with flowers often
persisting into early December.
4/25/08
At the east
entrance to Smith Hall is a 'Royal Star' Magnolia. The pink buds whiten as they
open to reveal white flowers. Just across the way to the left of the Fast Takes
window is a group of 'Cornell Pink' Korean Rhododendrons {R. mucronulatum
'Cornell Pink"} that have clear pink flowers untainted by the magenta that is in
the species. This is our first Rhododendron species to bloom each spring.
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'Royal Star' Magnolia |
'Cornell Pink' Korean Rhododendrons |
4/24/08
On the north side of
Memorial Hall is a 'Camperdown' Elm {Ulmus glabra 'Camperdownii'}
that is a dwarf grafted tree, planted there in 1983, you can see that the
top of the tree grows much faster than the Scotch Elm that is the root
system and lower trunk. This gives us a chance to see an Elm flower
close-up. Between Blair Dorm and the Bagley Center is a Star Magnolia {M.
stellata} that is blooming with white flowers that have narrower petals than
the 'Merrill' Magnolias. The Star magnolia is a smaller plant as well. Just
south of Holmes House is a mass of Forsythia {F. x intermedia} that is
covered with yellow flowers. A sure sign that spring has come. Next to the
Fosythia is a Red Maple {Acer rubrum} that is the first of our Maples to
bloom. Also called Swamp Maple, this tree is a common sight in our woods.
At the lower end of the Hyde Hall ramp is a 'Leonard Messel' Magnolia {M.x
loebneri 'Leonard Messel'} that has purple-pink buds that lighten in color
as they open
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'Camperdown' Elm |
Star Magnolia |
Forsythia |
Red Maple |
'Leonard Messel'
Magnolia |